New Tradition. 2nd Day.

I am one of those awesome moms who always remembers everything and does everything perfect and my life is always way fun and I make special first day of school presents for my kids.

Yeah... not so much.

So yesterday was the 2nd say of preschool and the 2nd day of ballet for Naomi. So we are starting a new tradition, we take photos on the 2nd day! This will probably be our tradition until next year. Maybe I'll change it to the first day. Or maybe the 3rd.

Honestly I felt badly about forgetting to take the classic first day photos, I mean really, what kind of a mom am I?? I did take a photo with my phone of Naomi and her buddy Jagger after their first day of preschool. But it's on my phone, so not very high quality.

Naomi started preschool at the USU child development lab this week. I am so happy about it, I love, love, love the atmosphere, curriculumn, class size, price, location, time, etc, etc. There is a strong focus on child-directed play. They have self-selected activites for a large portion of preschool time and they focus on social interactions as well. For Naomi this is wonderful. She is smart and has known her letters and sounds for a long time now and is beginning writing and sounding out words with me at home. So for preschool to give the opportunites to do the things we don't do here as much is perfect. She's thrilled about getting to do "whatever I want!"

Naomi also started ballet classes at Cache Valley School of Ballet last week. She goes once a week with a small group of little girls. It is so adorable. Seriously, little girls in pink tights and black leaotards and tiny pink shoes is just the sweetest thing. The Whittier Community Center is where she has ballet classes, it is a very old spacious building with a lot of character. The wood floors make it ideal for ballet classes. I took ballet there when I was a little girl and then later as a teenager. I loved ballet and I have always wished I had stayed with it longer. Naomi loves everything

Just time for an fyi

It's probably past due that I post something about this. This blog is not private so I don't really know who all is reading it. But it's a place to put this out there, kind of an fyi for you all.
I am divorced now. It's been final for a little over a month. I am doing really well, the kids are doing just great and everything is ok. It's a healthy situation I am in now and I feel really good about it.
My closest friends and obviously my family are well aware of the events in my life over the past year, but for some of you, my far away friends this is news to you.
Call or email me if you want to talk. I am so grateful for all the love and support I've received. Love you all!
-Trish

Top Of Utah Half Marathon!

I started this post Saturday afternoon, after the race, here is what I had so far:

"This morning I got up at 5:30 to get dressed and ready for the Top of Utah half marathon.

I was so nervous that I had a hard time eating. I ate some cereal and orange juice and hoped it would be enough!

The finish line is just a few blocks from my house and I needed to be there by 6 to ride a bus up to the start line. The race started up Black Smith Fork canyon at the Hyrum electrical plant and went downhill through the canyon until we turned onto Hollow Road in Nibley. From there we ran out to the highway for a short distance then back into Millville and then South until we made it to the finish line at Zollinger's park in Providence."

This race was awesome. During training for this the furthest I ran was barely over 7 miles. I just have a hard time going any longer. It's a total mind game. So I was positive I would be walking at some point, I just couldn't run 13.1 miles continuously.

My brother in law, Brock ran the race too, and he listened to Harry Potter while he ran. I think he made it to Potions class by the end of the race. I think I might try loading a book on my shuffle for my next long run, what a great diversion. I found Brock at the start line before the race and we started off together but ran separately after a while.

About a mile in I found a friend I had talked to before the race, Makaylee. She's a friend from high school and it had been since highschool since we had seen each other. She said she was only going to listen to her ipod when she really needed a boost to get her going, and I liked that idea. Save it for when you need it. We turned our music off and just talked and caught up on the past 10 years of life. It was nice running without music but talking to a friend made the miles literally just fly by.

By the time I saw a mile marker we were at mile 8. And I was feeling really good. I just couldn't believe I was still going strong, it was an amazing feeling. Race Day Adrenaline was playing a big part I'm sure.

My feet and left calf were feeling sore around mile 11 but I was so close, and they were just achy, not enough to hold me back. I wore my IT band strap to help stabilize my leg so my knee wouldn't hurt. It worked like a charm, I had no pain there at all. I also paid attention to where I was running on the road, totally avoiding the bank on the left side so I wouldn't put extra strain on it.

At mile 10 we decided it was music time and then Makaylee started really going fast! I kept up and we just kept on going. Before I knew it I could see the finish line in the distance, about a mile or so away. I was there!

The last half of a mile was packed with people cheering everyone on. I was feeling a little exhausted but it felt so good. It was so awesome to cross that finish line! I am so proud of myself for running the whole race! I never thought I could really do it, but I did!

I admit that I did have to walk while drinking water or Gatorade at the aid stations for a few seconds, I just haven't mastered drinking-from-a-paper-cup-while-running. I did try, and ended up with a sticky arm. Skills to work on I suppose. There were also orange slices which were awesome. Brock said something like "I have never had oranges that tasted so good. In my life" and that pretty much sums it up.

My final time was 2 hours 23 minutes, that is the chipped time. I crossed the start line about 2 minutes after the start gun so my time on the clock as I passed the finish line was 2:25.

I took about 20 minutes off my last half marathon, that was my first one too. I did the St. George half marathon last January and ended up walking off and on the last half of the race.

The reason I stopped running during that race was because of my knee, it was hurting because of the IT band issues. I didn't know what the problem was. But after I slowed down I got cold and my body was tired. I was also less prepared.

Finishing that race was hard. This race was such a different experience, so much better! I'm looking forward to the St. George half again in January, I'm hoping to run a 2:10 race. It's a colder run and it's not downhill like the TOU half, but I think I can do it.

There were around 2300 runners for this race. It was an impressive sight seeing everybody at 6 a.m. in the cold, dark morning air boarding buses. The start line was an amazing sight too. It's a good feeling to think, we're all in this together. I can do this because they can too.

I love running now. I know I still gripe about it sometimes but it's been such a great hobby/sport/activity for me for the past year. I finally understand why so many people run. It feels so good.

I don't have any photos from race day, just the ones the zazoosh photographers snapped.

Here is a link to a photo of me from the race. I look happy, and I am!

View Photos from Top of Utah Half Marathon

Registration will open up in, I think, April for 2011.

Who's with me next year?!

Top Of Utah Half Marathon

This morning I got up at 5:30 to get dressed and ready for the Top of Utah half marathon.

I was so nervous that I had a hard time eating. I ate some cereal and orange juice and hoped it would be enough!

The finish line is just a few blocks from my house and I needed to be there by 6 to ride a bus up to the start line. The race started up Black Smith Fork canyon at the Hyrum electrical plant.

Except for the part where...

Last Saturday I went to Gardeners Village with my sister Natalie, it has some fun shops and boutiques that I really liked. The quilt shop had so many lovely, beautiful and fun things.

Delish lunch at the Naborhood Bakery, a little bit like Great Harvest/Old Grist Mill. But some killer pastries. Yum.

Sassy Babies was awesome too, Teeny, tiny little shop but full of goodies. They had some Cake bags that are indeed gorgeous. But. they are so heavy. Cute hair clips, gave me new ideas, and lots of cute girl clothes.

This dress was exquisite. Really it was, it had beading all around the bodice and those tulle flowers were so sweet. I loved it so much I had to take a photo. Especially because I could never afford it, $200 +. Naomi would rock that dress.

Saturday morning I got up early, that's 7 a.m. for me. And picked up my Bountiful Basket. Right now I am swamped with fresh produce. Between the basket and food from my parents garden and the grapes Naomi just had to get at the grocery store today, my fridge is packed. We're eating it as fast as we can!

Tonight for dinner I made meatballs that were super yummy. That word is linked to the recipe. James pounded them. Naomi ate one, kinda. We had them with classic spaghetti and sauce. But then we added cucumbers, squash and beans to our dinner.

And the grapes. And we should have eaten tomatoes too.

And the cantaloupe.

I took this week off from bountiful baskets.

Also because I can't pick up anyway, I have my half marathon is on Saturday!!! Yikes. And Hooray!

I'm running tomorrow morning a good 4 or so miles and that's it until 7 a.m. Saturday. Send me good luck.

Today we made jello, and meatballs, and ran errands, and washed and folded clothes, and made cookie dough, and later cookies, and grocery shopped, and emptied garbages, and the kids got a bath, and now I need to frost some cookies and call it a day! It was a good one. Except for the part where I got mad at Naomi for waking James up from his nap. I was sorry and he went back to sleep anyway. Life with kids really is so great.

Today Naomi lined up on the window sill her Noah's ark turtles and the shrinky dink turtles she made with her Grandma Linda. It was a Turtle Family.

Naomi requested that I take a picture of her butterfly too. She also made this with Grandma Linda, and she keeps moving it all around that window.

Posers, Naomi does a pretty good kissy lips! Her hair in this photo is so awesome. So Naomi.

Random Things.

even Sick, he's so cute.

Today we were late for church. We all woke up late. James and Naomi are my alarm clock. So, we made it to Primary and Nursery. But James's face crumpled when I dropped him off at nursery. Poor baby. He reportedly pulled it together but just was a little out of sorts and kind of sad. So he was returned to his momma shortly before church was over.

Then during lunch he emptied his stomach. Cantaloupe from breakfast. Apparently he is not well yet. He had two and a half good days since he was sick Thursday morning. So this took me by surprise. He napped and then had some soothing applesauce and water. Yummy huh?

We stick to the B.R.A.T. diet when sick. Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast.

Anyway, a sick boy means simple food for everyone and lots of lounging around on the couch. Definitely no gym tomorrow. I have a race this Saturday, the top of Utah half marathon. I am not as prepared as I hoped to be and this week will prove to stay with the same trend.

Sigh.

I will finish, but not very quickly.

Also, I think I figured out what the problem I have with my knee is when I run long distances. IT band syndrome. Anyone know anything about it? I'm stretching it and paying attention to running on a flat surface and trying not to underpronate when I run. I think it helps a little bit. Also I got a strap to help stabilize my knee while I run. I felt good Saturday after my run so maybe that's a good move too.

The kids have been eating bananas and cheese and crackers while watching Dora, Diego, Word Girl, Dragon Tales, and, my personal favorite, The Electric Company. So I am here at the computer blogging.

I am trying, maybe unsuccessfully, to change my program for school. I was set to start a masters program in Family and Human Development in a week or so. Then I was having second thoughts about school and mostly about my choice of program. It being a bit generic and I want to be sure before I invest time and money (loans) into anything. What I would really like to do is the Professional School Counselor Education Program. So, be a school counselor. It's a two year, through the Summer program. 6 credits per semester and only one night a week. Perfecto. I did a short stint as an intern at my old high school alma mater during my undergraduate final semester. I loved it. I don't know why I didn't figure out that this is what I want to do sooner. But like they say, better late than never. So we'll see how things shake out this next week. Wish me luck. I would have to take a few prerequisites for this program, it's in the psychology department and I am missing a few essentials it seems.

But for other fun stuff. I like to online shop. Online fantasy shop. I have my eye on a new dress, but I question my nerve to actually wear it. To church I mean. Because where else does a girl like me wear a dress anyway?

It's Shabby Apple, what do you think? I am having a strange new liking for animal prints. Sometimes.

And then there's this one too, but maybe it's too... something, probably short. But I really like the look. Could I pull it off? Do I want to?

(I can't seem to copy a larger image of these dresses. So click the link if you need to actually see it, sorry.)

And then there are these. I've coveted a pair of Toms since I first heard about them. But, ya know. It's pricey, but it goes towards a good cause! So maybe eventually I'll get a pair, Christmas maybe? But THEN, they came out with these hot little numbers. Wedges. I heart wedges and peep toes and just heels in general. So these are probably more "essential" than the original Toms. So practical in a Northern Utah winter too, I know, I know.

Are they not so cute? I think I like Ash best.

And just one more thing to polish this off. I have a very favorite cookie recipe. It's from Peggy Cullen's "Got Milk? The Cookie Book" recipe book. I still have a handful of recipes to try, but the classic chocolate chip cookie is just that, a classic. Seems like I've posted this before, but it's worth a repost.

The Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie

4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened. NOT melted, that=flat cookies, fyi.

6 tablespoons granulated sugar

6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Use the real stuff.

1 large egg. At room temperature.

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. (I add more, usually about 1/4 cup more, every time. It just needs to be the right consistency, not gooey, but not dry.)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup (about 6 ounces) chocolate chunks or chips

1 cup (about 3 1/2 ounces) large pecan or walnut pieces, or any nut you prefer. I usually use about 1/2 cup pecan gems.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugars, salt, and vanilla until well combined. Beat in the egg. Scrape down the bowl using a rubber spatula, and beat for a few more seconds.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed just until absorbed. Combine the chocolate chunks and nuts in a small bowl and stir into the cough.

4. Shape the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and drop them about 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. For perfectly uniform cookies, scoop the dough using a 1 1/2-inch-diameter ice-cream scoop, leveling the dough off across the top before dropping onto the baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

These are always so perfectly yummy.

Bake some cookies and Have a Happy week!

Bear Lake

A few weekends ago we went to Bear Lake and had a great little vacation! Saturday night Dave and I took our kiddos to Pickleville Playhouse to see Bandito Rides Again. Very funny. It was a fun trip all around. I didn't get any pics of Natalie and Paul but they did come this time!

Dawson just liked to lay on the warm, warm sand.

Joshua, isn't he cute? He's getting so old!

Mom and Dad loving Bear Lake.

Baby G, Henry and Dave hanging out.

Isaac buried at Bear Lake

Naomi and Jonathan trading secrets.

My Sweet Baby James.

What was this bird called again Dad?

Alyssa and Dad negotiating... something.

Isn't that a gorgeous lake?

Annie and Naomi navigating the "warm" water.

Sophia and Naomi with Grandma Stevie with matchy swimsuits! Super cute girls.

Look at Sophia's sweet smile!

James and Naomi all ready to hit the water.

James and Jonathan. Not throwing sand at the moment.

White Pine

Last night Naomi and James went camping with their Daddy!

Zach took the B.O.B. sport utility stroller and made it prove itself on that hike, it worked perfectly, finally getting some good use out of it! He packed in the kids and gear and they had a great time!

Naomi loved the campfire, her headlamp and sleeping bag and wished she had taken her swimsuit to swim in the lake!

Naomi at White Pine Lake

At the trail head

The Summit!

We Love Camping!

Naomi, James and Zach at White Pine Lake

Blogging?

So I've been absent. This summer has been crazy fun and busy. We've been vacationing and playing and swimming and just having a whole lot of fun.

I'm ready to get back to the blog. Soon ;)

I am thinking about starting a new blog, and closing this one. A new chapter of my life maybe requires a new blog! So, I am taking blog name suggestions! Really. I am.

Just for fun, here's a link I liked that I saw today on designmom.com for a really darling necklace with DIY instructions. Sweet. It's a Easy Peasy Pea Pod Pendant. I heart design mom. And my friend Kelly actually knows her. I want to know amazing people too. Kelly is amazing though ;)

Here's a few photos until I get back to blogging in earnest.

Naomi and James at Lake Powell.

Building towers to knock them down!

Trey's 3rd Birthday! in St George

Last Day of Powell, All the cousins together. So cute!

Boat watching

Naomi, Leia and Annie tearing it up on the tube!

Helping Grandpa drive the boat.

Girls on a boat.

water skiing at Powell!

My mom and a beautiful sunset cruise at Lake Powell.

Holly and me at Lake Powell.

Lavender Fields in central Utah. Young Living Farms. These were so gorgeous.

James playing at the sand dunes in St. George.

Independence Day fireworks in St. George.

Brooke, Me and Talia at boating at Sand Hollow. That day the wind blew the windshield of the boat closed. On my head. It was awesome.

Dylan, Naomi, Trey and James at the Champlin's